Australia to ban social media for under-16s

Australia is launching the world’s first nationwide ban on social media use by people under the age of 16 from December 11. Enforcement will be the responsibility of technology companies, which are required to block access and verify users’ ages.

The list of blocked services includes TikTok, Facebook*, Instagram*, Threads, X, Snapchat, YouTube, Reddit, Kick and Twitch. The exceptions are Discord, Messenger Kids, WhatsApp, Pinterest, Kids Helpline, Google Classroom and YouTube Kids. The restriction does not apply to AI services including ChatGPT, OpenAI Sora, and Google Gemini.

This is the first time an age barrier of this magnitude has been implemented. Other countries have restricted social networks for political or national reasons. Now Denmark, France, Norway and Malaysia are studying Australia’s model and will monitor its effectiveness.

How the ban came about and what is required of companies

The initiative came about after a discussion of psychologist Jonathan Hite’s book The Anxious Generation. In 2024, Annabel West, the wife of South Australia’s prime minister, suggested that a ban be considered after reading a book about the impact of social media on children.

Anabelle West, the wife of South Australia’s prime minister, suggested the ban be considered after reading a book about the impact of social media on children.

Platforms must use age-verification technologies: voice or facial analysis, assessment of the age of registration, behavioral characteristics and communication language features. The government says it will prevent the use of fake IDs, AI tools and VPNs to circumvent the rules.

The companies face a $33 million fine under current law for violating the rules.

Litigation and industry reaction

Two 15-year-olds in Australia, backed by the Digital Freedom Project, are challenging the ban in the High Court, which could hear the case in February. Their position is that the restriction narrows the space for 13-15 year olds to communicate and express themselves, including discussion of personal and social topics.

TikTok said it was willing to comply with the new requirements, noting that the restrictions could “upset” some users. Meta* has already started deleting accounts of minors. Snapchat is ready to block almost 500 thousand accounts of children. X CEO Ilon Musk previously called the law “a stealthy way to control internet access for all Australians.”

Evaluation of the initiative and international context

The head of Enough Is Enough, Donna Rice Hughes, supported Australia’s decision and emphasized that the ban could encourage companies to implement safe default tools and parental settings. The organization has documented the risks to children – exploitation, bullying, depression, overuse, and other problems.

In the US, there are no similar nationwide rules, but 12 states are debating laws aimed at regulating teenagers’ access to social media.

So far, the organization has no similar nationwide rules, but 12 states are debating laws aimed at regulating teenagers’ access to social networks.

* Owned by Meta, it is recognized as an extremist organization in the Russian Federation and its activities are banned.